Aurora R-VIII Schools will be back in session tomorrow, Wednesday, August 15. We are excited to have everyone back in the buildings to achieve our mission, "Ensuring That All Students Are Successful Learners." It is going to be a great year!

Facility Survey

Personnel are currently working to revise the district's facility plan. With the number of students presently served, the buildings and facilities comfortably house all instructional programs. However, past discussions have brought up the possibility of constructing a performing arts center, building a multi-purpose room-storm shelter, addressing safety-security needs, increasing utility efficiency or upgrading athletic activity facilities.

A facility survey has been developed to help address areas of most concern or needed enhancement. By completing the survey, information will be available to determine other areas of need for students, teachers, parents and community members. This information will be incorporated into the plan for review when developing future budgets and when no-tax bond issue opportunities are available.

YMCA Youth Soccer and Flag Football will be starting soon! Soccer ages range from age 4 through 12 and youth flag football divisions range from Pre-K through the 5th grade. Both are 10-week programs. Practices and Games are held in Aurora. Prices are $25 for members, $55 for nonmembers and $27 if the student qualifies for free or reduced lunch. Sign up now at the Monett YMCA, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, or online at www.orymca.org.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeramy Kee at (417) 235-8213.

Child Find-Preschool

Do you have a preschooler who may be delayed in their development or one who has significant speech concerns? We may be able to help!

The Aurora School District begins providing special education services to students who meet eligibility at the age of three. Areas where a student could be delayed might include: physical, communication, cognitive (e.g. thinking/ problem-solving skills), adaptive behavior (e.g. dressing self, potty training, feeding self, picking up toys, etc.), and social/emotional skills. A child does NOT need to have delays in all areas to receive services.

If you think you may have a child with developmental delays in any of the areas above, please contact our special education director, Dr. Brenda Lakin, at 417-678-7742 to discuss a possible referral. We begin working with children at the age of three and will continue until a student is kindergarten-eligible or no longer needs services through our early childhood special education program.

Lawrence County Prevention Team Survey

The LCPT is attempting to obtain information to assist students during the 2017-18 school year. Please complete the survey to help with this fight.

Pursuant to Missouri Senate Bill 638, Section 161.1050, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has established the “Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.”

For the purposes of this initiative, the following terms are defined as follows:

“Trauma-informed approach” -an approach that involves understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress across the lifespan

“Trauma-informed school” -a school that:

a. realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery

b. recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in students, teachers and staff

c. responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into its policies, procedures and practices; and

d. seeks to actively resist re-traumatization

DESE recommends The Missouri Model as the developmental framework for the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative.

The implementation of a trauma-informed approach is an ongoing organizational change process. A “trauma-informed approach” is not a program model that can be implemented and then simply monitored by a fidelity checklist. Rather, it is a profound paradigm shift in knowledge, perspective, attitudes and skills that continues to deepen and unfold over time. Some leaders in the field are beginning to talk about a “continuum” of implementation, where organizations move through stages. The continuum begins with becoming trauma aware and moves to trauma sensitive to responsive to being fully trauma informed.

“Research has revealed that the prevalence of trauma is high particularly in specific target populations. This webinar will introduce viewers to the definition and prevalence of trauma, as well as examining the social, biological and health impact.”

University of Missouri St. Louis / Missouri Institute of Mental Health

Health Center Opens New Primary Medical Care Clinic

Access Family Care Medical and Dental Clinics is happy to announce their new primary medical care clinic in Aurora, Missouri. Access Family Care’s Aurora Medical Clinic opened February 1st. They will be serving the people of Lawrence County with primary medical services. Nurse Practitioner Shawn Brown will be providing quality medical care Monday through Friday. A doctor will be available at least one day a week. The clinic is located at 1810 S. Carnation Drive, which many locals will recognize as the previous site of Carnation Kids Daycare.

The hours for the Aurora Clinic are Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. On Tuesdays, the Clinic is open late until 7:00p.m. Please call 417-678-1260. Same day appointments are often available.

Early Childhood Special Education Services

Do you have a preschooler who may be delayed in their development or one who has significant speech concerns? We may be able to help!

The Aurora School District begins providing special education services to students who meet eligibility at the age of three. Areas where a student could be delayed might include: physical, communication, cognitive (e.g. thinking/ problem solving skills), adaptive behavior (e.g. dressing self, potty training, feeding self, picking up toys, etc.), and social/emotional skills. A child does not need to have delays in all areas to receive services.

If you think you may have a child with developmental delays in any of the areas above, then please contact our special education director, Dr. Brenda Lakin, at 417-678-7742 to discuss a possible referral. We begin working with children at the age of three and will continue until a student is kindergarten eligible or no longer needs services through our early childhood special education program.

Reporting Form

In order to reduce the incidence of bullying, a new reporting tool has been added to the Aurora R-VIII School District website. The form is located under the Quick Links section of the front page (right hand side). Please complete the form if you or your child is having difficulty at school. It will be routed to the appropriate office for additional investigation. If you have questions regarding the form, please contact the Central Office at 678-3373.

Houn' Dawg Clothing Store

The store will be open the 3rd Thursday of every month from 3:00-7:00 to families with children in the Aurora R-VIII School District. The clothing is free and only intended for families with children in need.

The Houn' Dawg Clothing Store is located on the east side of Robinson Intermediate School (1044 S. Lincoln). To enter, use the walk through gate at the southeast corner of the building where the building and chain link fence meet.

If you have questions, please call 417-678-8921.

If deemed as needed, additional times can be scheduled to access the store.

Thank You, Jimmy Michel Motors - Teacher of the Month Program

The Aurora R-VIII School District sends out a huge "Thank You" to Jimmy Michel Motors (and Chad Vaught) for sponsoring the Teacher of the Month program. This program began during the 2015-16 school year and has continued through the 2017-18 school year. Winners of the award receive a new car to drive for a month compliments of Jimmy Michel Motors. The award is based on criteria including teacher evaluation, perfect attendance, and service above and beyond for students. All certified teachers were eligible for the award. Again, the Aurora R-VIII School District thanks Jimmy Michel motors for this generous gift and unique partnership.

2017-18 Grading Cycles

Important Information from the Aurora R-VIII Health Staff and Administration

Aurora R-VIII personnel are asking parents to assist with stopping the spread of head lice. Like many districts in the area, Aurora students are experiencing an increase in the number of cases being seen in school. While this situation can affect any student, it is the goal of the district to eliminate or minimize the number of students affected. In order to do this, the following information is being provided to assist parents with better understanding head lice and the steps needed to prevent/treat them.

There are 3 stages of head lice. The first is the Nit Stage (louse egg). The nits are laid on the hair shaft and take 8 to 12 days to hatch. District policy does allowstudents with nits to be in school (per recommendation from the Center for Disease Control, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and The National Association of School Nurses). The second stage is the Nymph Stage (immature stage). The Adult Stage is the last stage. This is where lice are full grown. Both the nymphs and adults feed off the blood of the student.

Signs and symptoms of head lice include itching from an allergic reaction to the bites or irritation from sores caused by bites. Transmission of head lice occurs through head-to-head contact with an infested person or from hats, combs, pillows, etc. Please caution your student to not share clothing, hats, combs, other hair items, or to be in close contact with other students.

Treatment of head lice is recommended only for individuals with live lice or viable eggs. This can be done by combing with a nit comb, over-the-counter lice shampoo, or prescription lice medications. Alternative treatments such as petroleum jelly, mayonnaise, or margarine should be avoided because there is not conclusive evidence these work.

Family members of students with lice should be inspected. Bedding, towels, nightclothes, and other clothing/toys (stuffed animals) should be washed and/or dried in the dryer at high heat. Combs, brushes, and hair accessories used by the student should be rinsed in hot water every day until lice are eliminated. Vacuuming of floors, especially carpets is also recommended.

More information about lice and prevention/treatment can be found on the school website. Parents may also call the nurse of the building where their child attends or Central Office (678-3373) regarding additional questions. Please join with us in our efforts to reduce and/or eliminate head lice which keeps students from obtaining the education they deserve.

Substitute Teacher and Bus Driver Openings

The Aurora R-VIII School District is seeking applicants for substitute teaching. Substitute teacher requirements include: 60 college credit hours, a substitute certificate (obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education), and an acceptable background check. Bus driver requirements are having a CDL license.